Contact Information

Elections

The Catawba County Board of Elections is committed to efficiently conducting fair, honest, and impartial elections so that all qualified Catawba County citizens may exercise their right to vote.

The office conducts local elections, operates voting sites, maintains voter registration lists and handles numerous aspects of election administration. The Catawba County Board of Elections works in conjunction with the State Board of Elections office to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and fairly.

Registration

You must be registered 25 or more days before an election to vote by mail or to vote on election day—this is also the deadline if you wish to change your political party affiliation. If you are not registered by that deadline, you may still go to a One-Stop Early Voting site and register and vote at the same time.

Voter Lookup Use the State BOE's utility to check your voter registration information or see a sample ballot (when available).

Registration Form Use this form to register to vote in Catawba County and to change your name, address, or party affiliation.

Mail form to: Catawba BOE, PO Box 132, Newton, NC 28658

If you are new voter in the county and you do not provide your NC Drivers License number or the last 4 digits of your social on the registraion form, you will be asked to provide ID the first time you vote.

Valid ID: a current and valid photo ID; or a copy of one of the following documents that show the name and address of the voter: a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.

Voting

If you are away from home for work or vacation on election day, if you are disabled, homebound, in a hospital or medical care facility, or just can’t make it to the polls, the Board still wants you to be able to vote—it is your right as an American Citizen.

One-Stop Early Voting

One-Stop Voting is available at various locations in the county. You may go to any open one-stop site to vote starting 19 days before the election—ending at 1pm the Saturday before each election. If you are not registered and have resided in Catawba County for at least 30 days before the election, you may do so at a One-Stop location. One-Stop workers will register you and allow you to vote with proper ID.

You may change your name and/or address (if you moved more than 30 days before the election) at a One-Stop.

Curbside Voting is available to anyone that cannot come inside because of age or physical disability. Curbside Voter parking spaces are available at all polling locations. Pull into one of the spots and a curbside official will come out to assist you with the curbside voting process.

Acceptable ID: a current and valid photo ID; or a copy of one of the following documents that show the name and address of the voter: a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document.

Absentee Ballot by Mail

A completed Absentee Ballot Request for each election should be sent to the Board of Elections office. Near family members may complete and sign the form. The voter's Drivers License number or last 4 digits of their social security number must be provided. Forms must be received by 5pm the Tuesday before the election. You may send multiple requests in one envelope.

Mail request to: Catawba BOE, PO Box 132, Newton, NC 28658

Fax to: 828-464-9832

Once your request is processed and accepted, a ballot and return envelope will be sent to the address you specified. You are required to have two witnesses (or one notary public) verify that it is you that votes your ballot. It is sealed in the return envelope and you and the witnesses must sign the outside of the return envelope. Voted ballots must be returned (or postmarked) before 5pm election day.

Election Day Address Changes: If you are a registered voter in Catawba County and have moved within the county but failed to update your address with the BOE, you may do so at the polls. State Law requires that you go to the polling site for the address you were living 30 days before the election. (If you moved less than 30 days before the election, go to the polling location for your old address. You should also send in a new voter registration form to the BOE office before the next election.) If you moved more than 30 days before the election, go to the polling location for your new address. Enter an address to find the polling location.

Election Day Name Changes: If your legal name has changed, you may update your name at the polls.

If your name cannot be found in the registration list or there are disputes with your jurisdiction, party affiliation, etc. you are entitled to vote a Provisional Ballot. By voting a Provisional Ballot, your eligibility will be researched by the Board of Elections to determine if your ballot will be counted or partially counted. If counted, the votes will be added to the official vote count at canvass.ADA ballot marking equipment is available for voters who are blind, visually impaired, or have a disability or condition that makes it difficult to traditionally mark a ballot.

Curbside Voting is available to anyone that cannot come inside because of age or physical disability. Curbside Voter parking spaces are available at all polling locations. Pull into one of the spots and a curbside official will come out to assist you with the curbside voting process.